Photographic apparatus, product and processes



' PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP ES E. H. LAND ETAL 3,405,617

PRODUCT AND PROCESSES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS,

Oct. 15, 1968 Filed Nov. 26.

Oct. 15, 1968 LAND 'E 3,405,617

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, PRODUCT AND PROCESSES Filed Nov. 26. 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 WMM/ F l G. 5 ATTORNEYS Oct. 15, 1968 E. H. LAND ETAL 3,405,617

PRODUCT AND PROCESSES PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Nov. 26. 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS M ATTORNEYS Vial United States Patent 3,405,617 PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, PRODUC AND PROCESSES Edwin H. Land, Cambridge, and Albert J. Bachelder, Lexington, Mass, assignors to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass, a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 26, 1965, Ser. No. 509,713 18 Claims. (Cl. 95-13) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A self-developing camera incorporating a processing system including apparatus for advancing an exposed photosensitive sheet from exposure position into a container of processing liquid until the leading end of the sheet extends from the container. A second sheet advances outside of the container into engagement with the leading end of the photosensitive sheet extending from the container to move both sheets into the bite of a pair of pressure rollers. The rollers are rotated to withdraw the photosensitive sheet from the liquid and press the sheets together.

This invention relates to novel photographic apparatus for exposing a succession of photosensitive image-recording sheets and treating each exposed sheet with a liquid in conjunction with a second sheet, preferably to produce a transfer image on the second sheet, to photographic processes performed by the apparatus and to photographic products useful therein.

Photographic apparatus, products and processes of the type with which the present invention is concerned generally involve the photoexposure of a photosensitive image-recording sheet to :form an image therein, impregnation of the exposed image-recording sheet with a liquid agent capable of initiating processing, including formation of image-forming substances in the exposed image-recording sheet, and superpositioning of the image-recording sheets with a second or image-receiving sheet preferably to produce a diffusion-transfer image onthe image-receiving sheet. The image-forming process involves the formation in the image-recording sheet of an imagewise dis-' tribution of ditfusible image-forming substances and and transfer thereof by diffusion to the image-receiving sheet to form a visible image (preferably a positive) thereon. The apparatus, product and processes of the invention are specifically adapted to the production of color prints by a process in which a multilayer image-recording sheet is photoexposed to form a latent image, an aqueous alkaline processing liquid is permeated into the exposed image-recording sheet to render other reagents, particu; larly developers, reactive to develop the latent image, immobilize diffusible image-forming dyes in exposed areas of the image-recording sheet and transfer image-forming dyes by diffusion from unexposed areas to an image-(dye) receiving layer on the second sheet to form an image in said image-receiving layer. Such processes and the present invention are particularly concerned with the production of multicolor photographic transfer prints according to the process described in US. Patent No. 2,983,606, issued May 9, 1961 to Howard G. Rogers and utilizing integral multilayer, image-recording sheets incorporating dye developers such as are disclosed in the copending US. application of Edwin H. Land et al., Ser. No. 565,135, filed Feb. 13, 1956.

In the copending US. patent application of Edwin H. Land et al., Ser. No. 509,957, filed on an even date herewith, entitled Photographic Apparatus and 'Process, there is described apparatus for exposing a succession of imagerecording sheets and processing each exposed image-re cording sheet to produce a transfer print by applying a 3,405,617 Patented Oct. 15, 1968 "Ice nonviscous liquid agent to the exposed image-recording sheet to cause a predetermined quantity of the liquid to be absorbed therein, and after a period during which processing of the image-recording sheet progresses to a predetermined extent, pressing the liquid impregnated image-recording sheet into superposition with a dry image-receiving sheet. The processing liquid is imbibed into each image-recording sheet by immersing the sheet in the liquid for a predetermined period. The construction of a portable handheld camera of this type capable of functioning reliably to produce transfer prints in the manner described presents a number of problems particularly with regard to handling and manipulating the individual and superposed sheets, accurately timing the various interrelated processing operations, the storage of nonviscons, highly corrosive liquids so as to prevent spillage, etc., and the preservation of liquid processing agents subject to deterioration due, for example, to exposure to the atmosphere.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved photographic apparatus of this type particularly adapted for embodiment in and for use as a portable handheld camera that is compact, lightweight and reliable and substantially automatic in its operation.

Other objects of the invention are: to provide a novel and improved method of handling and manipulating a plurality of photosensitive and second sheets during exposure and processing in order to perform the requisite processing operations on the sheets with and .by a portable handheld camera to produce consistent good quality results; and to provide a photographic product including the image-recording and image-receiving sheets and processing liquid uniquely adapted for use in a camera of the type embodying the invention and required for the process performed by the camera.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts, the process involving the several steps and the relation and order of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, and the product possessing the features, properties and the relation of elements which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a camera embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational, sectional view taken along the lines 2--2 of FIG. 1, substantially midway between the sides of the camera and showing a film pack and contain- FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially in section, showing components of the camera and the construction of a film pack useful therein;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating another embodiment of the camera; and

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a temperature-compensated governor useful in the camera of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 incorporated in a camera 10 comprising a housing including a forward wall 12 and rear wall 14 disposed in generally parallel relation and joined to one another by side walls 16 and 18, an upper end wall 20 and a lower end wall 22. The upper portion of forward wall 12 is provided with an opening 24 in which is mounted a bellows 26 coupled with a-conventional lens and shutter assembly 28. A door 30is hinged to the forward walladjacent the lower edge of opening 24 and is pivotablebetween a closed position across opening 24 and an open position at which the door extends outwardly from the forward wall at approximately a right angle thereto. Door 30 functions as" a support for lens and shutter assembly 28 and the erecting system, generally designated 32, for the lens and shutter assembly, and as a cover for the lens and shutter assembly when the bellows is collapsed and the door is in a closed position. Forward wall 12 is also formed with a Withdrawal slot 34 immediately beneath and adjacent to door 30 and a second opening 36 and door 38 for closing the second opening located beneath withdrawal slot 34 between the latter and the lower end of the forward wall. The functions and purposes of the withdrawal slot and opening 36 will be explained more fully hereinafter.

Rear wall 14 of the housing is formed with an opening 40 and a closure door 42 aligned generally with opening 24 providing access to the inside of the camera housing for loading sheet materials, preferably incorporated in a film pack, into the camera housing in position for exposure. A conventional view finder and/ or range finder 44 is mounted on the upper portion of side wall 16 together with a manually engageable crank 46 mounted on a shaft 48 extending through side wall 16. Suitable latches of a conventional type are provided on each of the doors for retaining the doors in closed position and at least lower forward door 38 and rear door 42, and the portions of the walls defining the openings in which the doors are located are constructed so as to engage one another in a lighttight manner and prevent admission of light through openings 36 and 40 into the camera housing when the doors are in closed positions. Bellows 26 may be secured to the forward wall and/ or side walls 16 and 18 and upper end wall 20 in a light-tight manner so as to prevent admission of light into the housing through opening 24.

Camera is designed to be employed with a film pack 50 (see FIGS. 2 through 4) comprising a multiplicity of photosensitive image-recording sheets 52 and second or image-receiving sheets 54. Image-recording sheets 52 and image-reeciving sheets 54 are rectangular in shape, preferably coextensive in size, specifically, slightly larger than the size of the images to be made; and each comprises a support formed of a conventional film base material such as cellulose acetate, and includes a material and/or a layer rendering the support opaque to actinic light. The supports comprising the image-recording sheets each carries a layer containing the photosensitive material and any other reagent, such as dye developers, necessary to effect the treatment of the exposed photosensitive material to produce an image therein, for example, the materials and processes described in copending application of Edwin H. Land, Ser. No. 471,665, filed July 13, 1965. The supports comprising the image-receiving sheets similarly carry image-(dye) receptive layers such as described in the lastmentioned application.

For the sake of compactness, the image-recordign sheets are arranged in stacked relation facing in the same direction and the image-receiving sheets are arranged in a second stack disposed in face-to-face relation with the stack of image-recording sheets and substantially aligned therewith. The two stacks are arranged with the photosensitive layers of the image-recording sheets facing outwardly away from the image-receiving sheets and the sides of the image-receiving sheets adapted to be superposed with the photosensitive layers facing outwardly away from the image-recording sheets. The stacks of photosensitive and image-recording sheets are supplied in a container or box 55 shown as comprising a forward section and a rear section joined to one another. The forward section includes a forward wall 60, side walls 62, an upper end wall 64 and a lower end wall 66. The forward wall is formed with a rectangular exposure aperture 68 having side and upper edges located parallel with and closely adjacent the side and lower end walls and extending to lower end wall 66. The portions of the forward Wall: defining the side and upper edges of exposure aperture 68 engage the forwardmost image-recording sheet adjacent three edges thereof to retain the image-recording sheets within the film pack container and locate the fo-rwardmost photosensitive sheet in position for exposure. Lower end wall 66 includes a forward-edge spaced from forward wall 60 by a distance approximately equal to the thickness of one of image-recording sheets 52 to provide a slot 67 sufiiciently wide to allow only the forwardmost image-recording sheet to be advanced from the film pack container by sliding the sheet in the plane thereof downwardly between the forward wall and the lower end wall. Mounted within the film pack container behind the stack of image-recording sheets between the latter and the stack of image-receiving sheets is a pressure plate 70 and spring plate 72 for biasing the pressure plate forwardly to support the stack of image-recording sheets against the forward wall with the forwardmost irnage-recording sheet located in position for exposure.

The rear section of film pack container 55 includes a rear wall 74 formed with an opening 76 and side and end walls 78 extending forwardly into light-tight engagement with the side and end walls of the forward section. The stack of image-receiving sheets is mounted between spring plate 72 and rear wall 74 and is urged rearwardly against the rear wall. A narrow slot 80, having a width approximately equal to the width of one of the image-receiving sheets, is formed in the lower end wall '78 of the rear section adjacent the rear wall to permit the withdrawal movement of the rearmost image-receiving sheet from the container. As a means for moving the imagereceiving sheets from the container, a friction plate 82, having a top-to-bottom dimension substantially less than the dimensions of the image-receiving sheets, is mounted between the rear wall and the rearmost image-receiving sheet. Friction plate 82 is provided on its inner (forward) surface with a material having a high coefiicient of friction and is provided on its outer (rear) surface with an engagement member shown as a pin 84, to facilitate movement of plate 82 upwardly and downwardly within the film pack container in engagement with the rearmost image-receiving sheet to feed the image-receiving sheets, one at a time, from the film pack container through slot in the lower edge wall thereof.

Film pack 50 is mounted for exposure in the upper portion of the camera housing between openings 24 and 40 in alignment with the lens of assembly 28. Support members 86 are provided in the camera housing for locating film pack 50 with the forwardmost image-recording sheet located in position for exposure to light from the lens of assembly 28, and opening 40 with its associated door 38 provide access to the inside of the camera housing for inserting a film pack into the camera in proper position for exposure.

Processing of an exposed image-recording sheet 52 is accomplished by advancing the image-recording sheet from the film pack container, edge foremost, through a body of a liquid processing agent along a path and at a linear rate providing for absorption of a predetermined quantity of the processing liquid by a layer or layers on the imagerecording sheet. The processing liquid is contained in a processing or liquid treatment station including a container 90 for the liquid mounted and held in the lower portion of the housing beneath the film pack by support member 91 located behind door 38. Container 90, shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, is open at the top and includes upstanding side walls 92 and end walls (not shown) and a bottom wall 94 formed with continuous U-shaped ribs 96 for engaging and guiding the image-recording sheets downwardly adjacent one (the rear) side wall, across the bottom of the container and upwardly adjacent the opposite (forward) side wall. A quantity of liquid processing agent, designated 98, is initially provided in the container so as to almost fill the container and is at least sufiicient to. process the image-recording sheets in a film pack 50 and may be sufficient to process the image-recording sheets of a plurality of film packs.

Since the camera, being of the type adapted to be held and operated by hand, it is subject to being inverted and accordingly, the liquid treatment station should evaluate means for preventing spillage of the liquid contents of container 90. The means for preventing spillage of the liquid also must permit successive image-recording sheets to be introduced into, moved through and wtihdrawn from the container and, in the form shown, comprise an inner cover 100 secured in closing relation to the open container and preferably formed of a material that is resiliently deformable, unaffected by the processing liquid, e.g., water and alkali. Organic plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene are particularly suited for this purpose. Inner cover 100 is formed with an inwardly (downwardly) converging channel defined by a pair of juxtaposed inwardly extending lips 102 terminating in a slit 104 defining an entrance passage through which an image-recording sheet may be introduced intothe container adjacent the rear side Wall of the container into engagement with guide ribs 96 on the rear side wall. A similar exit passage is provided on the side adjacent the opposite (forward) side wall of the container defined by outwardly (upwardly) projecting lips 106 forming a narrow exit slit 108 through which the image-recording sheet is advanced from the container. The entrance and exit passages or channels defined, respectively, by lips 102 and lips 106, are convergent in the direction of movement of the image-recording sheets therethrough and function as guides for directing the sheets through the entrance and exit slits 104 and 103. The lips defining the entrance and exit slits are biased toward one another into engagement with one another so as to close the slits and prevent escape of the processing liquid in the event the container 90 is tilted or inverted, while the edges of lips defining exit slit 108 function as squeegees for removing the processing liquid from the surfaces of the image-recording sheets during movement of the imagerecording sheets through the exit slit from container 90.

As a means for providing added strength and rigidity to the container and closure assembly and retaining the slits closed, the container is provided with an outer cover 110 preferably formed of a strong, rigid material such as sheet metal, and including dependent flanges at its edges by which the outer cover is secured around inner cover 100 and both covers are secured to container 90. Outer cover 110 includes a pair of slots 112 located in alignment with entrance and exit slits 104 and 108 to permit movement of the image-recording sheets through the entrance and exit slits, and a rib 113 for lending rigidity to'the cover. The entrance and exit slits are preferably equal in length to the width of the image-recording sheets and the inner cover is fabricated, for example, by molding with the lips of each pair connected to one another to form an imperforate structure and then slitting each pair of lips at their juncture to form a slit which is retained in its closed position by outer cover 110. Container 90 and guide ribs 96 are constructed and dimensioned to provide a path through the container from entrance slit to exit slit that is slightly longer than the image-recording sheets so that during the movement of an image-recording sheet through the container, the sheet will reach a position in which the major portion thereof is immersed in the liquid with the end portions projecting from the container in generally parallel relation through the entrance and exit slits relatively short distances above the outer container cover.

The camera includes means for moving the forwardmost image-recording sheet, followingexposure thereof, downwardly from its exposure position in the film pack container into, through and from container 90 at a rate calculated to provide for absorption of a predetermined quantity of a processing liquid and advancement of processing to a predetermined extent; advancing the rearrnost image-receiving sheet from the film pack container into superposition with the wet image-recording sheet as it emerges from the container; and pressing the Wet image recording sheet into superposition with a dry image-re ceiving sheet in registration therewith. These means are preferably automatic in their operation, that is, they automatically advance the sheets at rates that produce the desired processing and insure proper registration of the image-recording and image-receiving sheets when the sheets are pressed into superposition; and include means for moving an image-recording sheet from the film pack container into engagement with another means for advancing the image-recording sheet into and through container until the leading end portion thereof emerges from container 90, means for advancing an image-receiving sheet from container 55 into engagement with the leading end portion of the image-recording sheet, and means for withdrawing the image-recording sheet from container 90 while pressing the two sheets into face-toface contact.

The means for advancing the forwardmost exposed image-recording sheet from film pack container 55 are shown in FIG. 4, as comprising an elongated shoe 114 including arms 116 extending from its ends pivotally mounted on a shaft 118 engaged at its ends in brackets 120, in turn mounted for sliding movement on tracks 122 in a linear direction substantially parallel with the plane of the forwardmost image-recording sheet. Shoe 114 is provided on its forward surface with a material such as polyurethane foam, having a high coefiicient of friction and is biased into engagement with the forwardmost image-recording sheet by a torsion spring 124 engaged around shaft 118. In the normal or rest position thereof, shoe 114 is located adjacent the upper edge of the film pack container and is pivoted upwardly out of engagement with the forwardmost image-recording sheet from the path of light from the lens of assembly 28 to the upper portion of the image-recording sheet so as not to interfere with exposure of the upper portion of the image-recording sheet. Shoe 114 is pivoted into this position by engagement of end sections 126 of arms 116 with a fixed member or members 127 which may comprise portions of the camera housing, e.g., upper end wall 20. To feed an image-recording sheet downwardly from the film pack container, shoe 114 is pivoted into engagement with the image-recording sheet and then moved linearly downwardly by a mechanism including a pair of links 128 each connected at one end to a bracket and at its other end to a crank 130 mounted on a shaft 132 coupled with a gear 134, meshed with another gear 136, coupled with shaft 48 on which manually engageable crank 46 is mounted. By virtue of this mechanism, crank 46 may be rotated manually moving brackets 120 downwardly disengaging end sections 126 of arms 116 and permitting the shoe to pivot into engagement with the forwardmost image-recording sheet while moving the shoe downwardly in frictional engagement with the image-recording sheet to advance the latter from the film pack container. A torsion spring 138 engaged around shaft 132 is provided for rotating the shaft to return the shoe to its initial position of rest, out of alignment with the forwardmost image-recording sheet to permit exposure thereof.

The camera includes means for advancing an imagerecording sheet 52, edge foremost, through entrance slit 104 into container 90 and through the container until the leading edge portion ofthe image-recording sheet emerges therefrom at the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 2. These means comprise a first pair of feed rolls 140 and 142 mounted in juxtaposition between film pack container 55 and container 90 with the nip of the rolls located slightly to the rear of the forwardmost imagerecording sheet and forward of entrance slit 104. The axes of rolls 140 and 142 are disposed substantially in a plane located perpendicularly with respect to a plane tangent to the rolls and extending through entrance slit 104. A guide member 143 may be provided on support members 86 for guiding the forwardmost image-recording sheet from the pack into the nip of rolls 140 and 142. The feed rolls are preferably cylindrical in shape and include at least an outer peripheral surface layer of a material having a high coefficient of friction in order to insure advancement of an image-recording sheet by the rolls into and through container 90. In the operation of the camera, rolls 140 and 142 are rotated so as to engage the leading end portion of the foremost image-recording sheet immediately as the latter is moved by shoe 114 downwardly into the nip of the feed rolls. The length of the path of movement of the image-recording sheets from the nip of the feed rolls, through and from container 90 is so related to the length of the image-recording sheet that the leading edge portion of the image-recording sheet extends a predetermined distance from and above the container when the trailing edge portion of the imagerecording sheet is advanced by feed rolls 140 and 142 from engagement therewith.

A pair of pressure rolls 144 and 146 are mounted in juxtaposition, one (144) located above the other (146) above and forward of exit slit 108. Pressure rolls 144 and 146 have peripheral surfaces having a high coefiicient of friction, and are mounted with their axes substantially in a common plane parallel with the path of movement of sheets 52 from the container through the exit slit so that upon emergence from the container, the leading end portion of each image-recording sheet is located to the rear of pressure rolls 144 and 146 closely adjacent the nip of the pressure rolls and withh the leading edge slightly above a line tangent to the pressure rolls at the nip thereof.

Pressure rolls 144 and 146 are rotated to withdraw each image-recording sheet from container 90, preferably at substantially the same rate as the image-recording sheet is advanced into and through the container, and press the wet or liquid impregnated image-recording sheet into face-to-face contact with an image-receiving sheet 54. This is accomplished by rotating the pressure rolls and advancing the leading edge of an image-receiving sheet toward the nip of the pressure rolls into engagement with the leading edge portion of an image-recording sheet projecting from the container to deflect the image recording sheet from its path (planar) of movement into the nip of the pressure rolls into engagement therewith. A suitable mechanism is illustrated in FIG. 3 for advancing the rearmost image-receiving sheet from film pack container 55 toward the nip of the pressure rolls in order to engage the image-receiving sheet and an image-recording sheet between the pressure rolls, and comprises means for engaging pin 84 on plate 82 in the film pack and moving the plate downwardly in frictional engagement with the rearmost image-receiving sheet. A first guide plate 148 is provided on the lower end of support members 86 and is curved downwardly and forwardly above feed roll 140 for guiding the rearmost image-receiving sheet forwardly, across and above the nip of feed rolls 140 and 142 along a path intersecting the path of downward movement of the image-recording sheets near the nip of the feed rolls. A third feed roll 149 may be provided in juxtaposition with guide plate 148 for helping to advance the image-receiving sheets into the nip of the pressure rolls. A second guide plate 150 is provided extending from above feed roll 142 near the nip thereof toward the nip of pressure rolls 144 and 146 for guiding the image-receiving sheet toward the nip of the pressure rolls.

The means for engaging and moving plate 82 downwardly within the film pack comprise a lever 152 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on closure door 42 and having a U-shaped, forked end section 154 for engaging pin 84 for sliding and pivotal movement. A push rod 156 pivotally coupled with lever 152 at the opposite end thereof is mounted for lengthwise sliding movement on the rear door and is biased downwardly by a spring 158 into engagement with a single lobe cam 159, in order to rotate lever 152 into its initial or rest position at which plate 82 is disposed in the upper portion of the film pack container. Linear movement of the push rod 156 upwardly against the bias of spring 158 in response to rotation of cam 159 causes pivotal movement of lever 152 and the downward movement of plate 82 in engagement with the rearmost image-receiving sheet. In an alternative embodiment, plate 82 may comprise a component of the camera mounted for sliding movement on the rear door for extending through an opening in the rear wall of the pack into engagement with the rearmost imagereceiving sheet when the rear door is in closed position. As the image-receiving sheet moves downwardly, it is guided by guide plates 148 and 150 leading edge foremost, toward the nip of pressure rolls 144 and 146 along a path which twice intersects the path of movement of the image-recording sheets, the second time at the nip of the pressure rolls. As the leading edge of the image-receiving sheet engages the leading edge portion of an image-recording sheet, the image recording sheet is deflected from its path and both sheets enter the nip of the feed rolls in superposition and preferably with their leading edges in alignment.

The processing of the image-recording sheets is deter mined by the immersion time of each sheet in the liquid and the length of the period between the immersion of a section of the image-recording sheet and superposition thereof with an image-receiving sheet. The immersion time of the sheets in the liquid is, in turn, a function of the path length through the liquid and the linear rate of movement through the liquid. The camera of the invention is substantially automatic in its operation once an exposure and processing cycle is initiated and includes a source of motive power for driving the components of the camera. The power and drive mechanism of the camera is required to rotate feed rolls 140 and 142 so as to feed an image-recording sheet into, through, and from, the container; and, at the proper time, advance an imagereceiving sheet from the film pack into engagement with the leading end of the image-recording sheet todeflect the latter into the bite of the pressure rolls, and rotating the pressure rolls to advance the image-recording sheet from a container and press it into superposition with the image-receiving sheet at the same rate the image-recording sheet is advanced by the feed rolls. Movement of the image-recording sheet from the film container into, through, and from, the liquid and into superposition with the image-receiving sheet is preferably substantially continuous and without interruption, and at a constant speed so that every incremental portion of the image-recording sheet is immersed in the liquid for the same time and processing will be uniform. This requires the precise timing of the movement of the image-receiving sheet with respect to the image-recording sheet so that the imagereceiving sheet engages the leading end portion of the image-recording sheet just as the latter comes to rest following movement from engagement with the feed rolls, and immediately deflects the image-receiving sheet from its path of movement into engagement with the pressure rolls at the nip thereof so that any pause in the motion of the image-recording sheet through the liquid is comparatively short and has no noticeable effect on the overall process.

The control and drive system of the camera includes a source of motive power shown as an electric motor 160 powered by batteries 162 housed in the lower portion of the camera housing beneath container and coupled with feed rolls and 142, pressure rolls 144 and 146 and cam 159 by a suitable gear train 164 so that all four of the rolls are driven at speeds appropriate for their diameter to advance the image-recording sheets at constant speed. Motor is preferably of a type including and governor, or by a conventional, governed spring motor which is wound by hand, for example, by rotating crank 46. In the construction shown, the exposure and processing cycle is initiated by rotating crank 46 first to trip the shutter and make an exposure, and then move shoe 114 so as to advance the exposed image-recording sheet from the film pack container into the n p of feed rolls 140 and 142. The drive and control system includes a switch for closing the circuit from batteries 162 to motor 160 and means coupling crank 46 with the switch to close the switch during the terminal portion of rotation of the crank and initiating rotation of the feed and pressure rolls during movement of an exposed imagerecording sheet into the nip of the feed rolls. The control system includes a pair of cams (not shown) operated by motor 160. The first of the cams coacts with the control switch to retain the switch closed, once the motor is energized, for a period exceeding the length of a processing cycle, and then opening the switch to de-energize the motor and terminate the operation of the apparatus. The other cam includes a lobe for coacting with push rod 156, to feed an image-receiving sheet into engagement with the leading edge portion of an image-recording sheet at the proper time in the cycle, preferably so that the leading edges of the two sheets are aligned as they become engaged in the nip of pressure rolls 144 and 146.

This arrangement, including cam 159 driven by the same motor that is responsible for moving the image-recording sheets through the liquid in container 90, makes it a simple matter to vary the processing cycle, particularly the time of immersion of the image-recording sheets in the liquid. This may be particularly desirable to permit the camera to be employed with different films requiring different processing, and/or to compensate for changes in temperature of the materials, particularly the processing liquid employed. The period of immersion of the image-recording sheets in the liquid can be varied quite simply without altering the other relationships merely by changing the speed of motor 160 and this is easily accomplished in a number of ways including varying the electric current to the motor, or adjusting the governor. A simple and conventional electromechanical governor is illustrated in FIG. 6 as including a first electric contact 174 mounted in fixed position on a hub 172 on the shaft, designated 170, of motor 160 and a second contact 176 for conducting current for driving the motor. The second contact 176 is mounted for movement relative to contact 174 on a curved spring 180 and the governor may be adjusted to provide for different speeds by changing the bias on or resilience of spring 180 and/ or the size of a weight 178 on the spring. The processing cycle may be varied automatically to compensate for temperature changes by varying the bias on spring 180 as a function of temperature, for example, by forming the spring as a bimetallic strip. When the motor reaches a predetermined speed the contacts are opened thus interrupting the flow of current to the motor. When the speed of the motor drops below the predetermined speed the contacts close so that current again will flow and the speed of the motor will increase to the desired level. In this manner the imbibition time may be lengthened for lower temperatures and shortened for higher temperature automatically and accurately to produce uniform and dependable results. As long as the physical dimensions of the film materials remain invariant, the imbibition period may be changed to suit different materials by varying the position of one of the contacts either manually or automatically, and in the latter case, for example, by providing an element on the film pack for altering the position of the electrical contact in the governor when the film pack is loaded into the camera.

Another embodiment of the camera, illustrated in FIG.

5, includes means for reducing the time interval required for moving a second sheet across the path of movement of a photosensitive sheet into engagement with the leading end of the photosensitive sheet and for more precise coordination between the movements of the two sheets to the end that movement of the photosensitive sheet through the liquid is substantially uninterrupted. In this embodiment, feed roll 149 is rotated continuously and guide plate 154 is deformable (or is mounted for pivotal movement) toward and away from the feed roll between an inoperative position (shown) at which the plate is spaced from the feed roll by a distance exceeding the thickness of a second sheet, and an operative position at which the guide plate will press a second sheet into frictional engagement with the feed roll. The guide plate is biased toward the feed roll and lever 151 mounting a cam follower and a cam 153 are provided for deforming guide plate 148 from its operative position away from the feed roll into its inoperative position. A pin 155 is mounted in fixed position on wall 14 of the camera housing and extends through a slot in guide plate 148 into the path of movement of the second sheets between the guide plate and feed roll 149. I

In the operation of the camera, a second sheet 54 is advanced downwards from the film pack during the initial portion of a processing cycle until the leading edge of the second sheet is engaged by pin 155 and movement of the second sheet is arrested at a predetermined position with the leading edge thereof close to the path of the first sheet. The second sheet remains at this position until the trailing end of the photosensitive sheet being processed has passed the path of movement of the second sheet whereupon cam 153 allows lever 151 to pivot permitting guide plate 148 to move toward feed roll 149 thereby disengaging the leading edge of the second sheet from pin 155, and pressing the second sheet into frictional engagement with the feed roll. The feed roll then immediately advances the second sheet toward the leading end of the image-recording sheet and nip of rolls 144 and 146.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the distance through which the image-receiving sheet is moved from the time the trailing edge of the image-recording sheet is out of the path of movement of the image-receiving sheet and the instant of engagement is reduced. Moreover, the movement of the two sheets can be precisely coordinated by constructing cam with a shoulder providing for rapid movement of lever 151 and instantaneous engagement of the feed roll with the second sheet when advancement of the second sheet is to commence.

The use of a battery operated drive system in the camera offers a number of other advantages in addition to easy and automatic control over the processing cycle. For example, the container of liquid should be oriented with the closure uppermost during a processing cycle in order to insure that the processing liquid does not leak from its container because although the closure may be sufficiently liquidtight to prevent spillage of the liquid, it may not permit the advancement of the sheet from the container, without leakage when the container is inverted. A position-sensitive switch in the circuit between the batteries and motor provides a simple and expedient means for insuring operation of the camera to perform the processing cycle only when the camera is correctly oriented, that is in the upright position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As in many chemical processes, there is a preferred temperature at which processing proceeds at the optimum rate, and the incorporation of batteries also makes it possible to provide an electrically operated heater in the container of processing liquid for maintaining the liquid at a predetermined temperature. The batteries may also be utilized to operate a timer, and produce a signal at the end of a processing period of predetermined duration commencing with pressing of the two sheets into superposition to form a sandwich. This period during which the two sheets comprising the sandwich are maintained in 1 1 face-to-face contact, should be accurately controlled within certain limits, and a battery operated timer incorporated in the camera provides a most convenient means for notifying the operator when the period has elapsed and the sheets should be separated.

Separation of the sheets may be facilitated by providing one of the sheets with rounded corners, or by forming both sheets with rounded corners having different radii of curvature. This construction facilitates initial separation of the superposed sheets at one corner so that they can be gripped and peeled apart.

The film pack assembly shown may initially include sufiicient image-recording and image-receiving sheet materials to produce a large number, e.g., 20, of prints, and container 90 may contain sufficient liquid to process the image-recording sheets of a single film pack, or of a pinrality of film packs. In the former case, the film pack may be attached to the container of processing liquid, for example, by extensions of side walls 62 of film pack container 55, so that the extensions function to accurately position the film pack with container 99, particularly with slits 104 and 108 in the container cover, and thereby help to insure movement of the image-recording sheets into and through the container, and movement of the imagereceiving sheets into proper registration with the imagerecording sheets. Guides for the sheets may also be mounted on the extension coupling the film pack with the container. In the camera for use with the last-mentioned embodiment, the camera housing would be provided with a single rear door to which the assemblage comprising a film pack and liquid filled container would be introduced.

Since certain changes may be made in the above product, process, and apparatus, without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. Photographic processing apparatus for treating an exposed photosensitive sheet with a liquid in conjunction with a second sheet superposed with said photosensitive sheet, said apparatus comprising, in combination:

means providing a liquid treating station in which a sheet is contacted with a liquid;

first sheet advancing means for moving one of said sheets along a first generally U-shaped path into and through said liquid treating station to a position at which a leading end portion of said one sheet projects from said station;

second sheet advancing means for engaging said leading end portions of said sheets, Withdrawing said one sheet from said liquid treating station and moving said sheets in superposition; and

third sheet advancing means for moving the other of said sheets along a second path located outside of said liquid treating station and twice crossing said U-shaped path of movement of said one sheet, toward and into engagement with said leading end portion of said one sheet adjacent said second advancing means to deflect the latter from said first path into engagement with said second advancing means.

2. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for operating said third sheet advancing means to move said end portions of said sheets into engagement with said second advancing means at substantially the same time said one sheet is moved from engagement with said first advancing means to move said one sheet substantially continuously into, through and from said liquid treating station.

3. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 including means for operating said first and second advancing means to move said one sheet at a substantially constant speed into, through and from said treating station.

4. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said third advancing means include means for moving said 12 other sheet from an initial position along said second path to an intermediate position wherein said leading end portion of said other sheet is located adjacent said first path and then moving said other sheet from said intermediate position toward said second advancing means.

5. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said liquid treating station comprises a container for holding a processing liquid and a major portion of said one sheet immersed in said liquid and means for guiding said one sheet along a generally U-shaped path through said container and said liquid.

6. Photographic processing apparatus as defined in claim 5 including drive means for varying the rate of operation of said first and second advancing means and thereby the speed of movement of said one sheet through said liquid in said container, and means for simultaneously adjusting the length of the interval between actuation of said first and third advancing means to insure substantially uninterrupted movement of said image-recording sheets through said liquid and proper registration of said sheets.

7. Photographic processing apparatus as defined in claim 6 including control means coupled with said drive means for sensing the temperature of said liquid and varying the rate of operation of said first and second advancing means in proportion to changes in the temperature of said liquid.

8. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said container includes ingress and egress openings through which said one sheet is moved, respectively, into and from said container, said openings are spaced from one another by a distance substantially less than the length of said one sheet and closure means in said openings for preventing escape of said processing liquid, said closure means being deformable by the leading edge of said one sheet to permit movement thereof into and from said container, and including means for preventing operation of said sheet advancing means when said apparatus is oriented in predetermined attitudes such that the level of said liquid is above one of said openings.

9. Photographic apparatus for exposing a surface of a photosensitive sheet and treating said exposed photosensitive sheet with a liquid in conjunction with a surface of another sheet superposed with said surface of said photosensitive sheet, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for supporting a photosensitive sheet and .an-

other sheet in initial positions with surfaces thereof adapted to be superposed during processing facing in opposite directions, and with said surface of said photosensitive sheet located in position for exposure;

means providing a liquid treating station in Which said photosensitive sheet is contacted with a liquid;

first sheet advancing means for moving said photosensitive sheet from exposure position along a first path through said station to a position in which an end portion of said photosensitive sheet projects from said station;

second sheet advancing means for engaging said end portion of said photosensitive sheet and an end portion of said other sheet, withdrawing said photosensitive sheet from said station and advancing said photosensitive sheet in superposition with said other sheet; and

third sheet advancing means for moving said other sheet from said initial position thereof along a second path located entirely outside of said liquid treating station and twice crosses said first path to bring said surfaces of said sheets into facing relation.

10. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said second path crosses said first path at a predetermined location intermediate said means for supporting said sheets in initial positions and said first advancing means, and at a second location near said second advancing means.

11. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 9 including means for operating said first and third advancing means to move said end portions of said sheets into engagement with said second advancing means at substantially the same time said first sheet is moved from engagement with said first advancing means so that movement of said one sheet into, through and from said treating station is substantially continuous and uninterrupted.

12. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 11 including means for operating said first and second sheet advancing means to move said one sheet at a substantially constant speed into, through, and from said liquid treating station.

13. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said third advancing means include means for moving said other sheet from said initial position thereof along said second path to an intermediate position wherein said leading end portion of said other sheet is located adjacent said first path, retaining said other sheet in said intermediate position and then moving said other sheet from said intermediate position toward said second advancing means.

14. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said liquid treating station includes openings through which said photosensitive sheet enters and exits said station and is so oriented with respect to said means for holding said sheets as to cause said photosensitive sheet to exit said liquid treating station with said surface thereof facing in the opposite direction from its initial position.

15. In the method of processing a photographic image wherein a first sheet including a photosensitive material as a layer thereon is exposed and subjected to treatment with a processing liquid in conjunction with a second sheet to form a transfer image by diffusion, the steps of:

locating a first sheet and a second sheet in facing relation in initial positions with said layer on said first sheet facing away from said second sheet and disposed in position for exposure;

exposing said layer;

moving said first sheet from said initial position leading edge foremost at a substantially constant predetermined rate into and through a body of processing liquid to provide for absorption of said liquid into said layer and to initiate formation of transferable image-forming substances;

thereafter moving said second sheet from said initial 4 position thereof along a path outside of said body of liquid;

continuing the movement of .said first sheet into said body of processing liquid until the leading end portion of said first sheet projects from said body of liquid; immediately as movement of said first sheet is discontinued, moving the leading end portion of said second sheet outside of said body of liquid into engagement with said leading end portion of said first sheet to deflect the latter from its path of movement;

continuing movement of said second sheet until said end portions of both of said sheets are superposed with said layer facing said second sheet; and

advancing said first sheet from said liquid in superposition with said second sheet at substantially the same predetermined constant speed so that every portion of the exposed area of said layer is immersed in said liquid for a predetermined period providing for absorption of substantially the same predetermined quantity of said liquid.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said first sheet is moved along a U-shaped path from said initial position thereof into, through, and from said body of liquid and said second sheet is moved from said initial position thereof along a path twice intersecting said path of movement of said first sheet to locate the side of said second sheet initially facing away from said first sheet in facing relation with said layer.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the leading edge of said second sheet is moved into superposition with the leading edge of said first sheet and said sheets are superposed and advanced in superposition with said leading edges of said sheets located in substantial alignment.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the speed of movement of said first sheet through said liquid is varied in direct relation to the temperature of said liquid in order to provide a predetermined inverse relationship between the temperature of said liquid and the quantity of said liquid absorbed by said layer.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,751,814 6/1956 Limberger 89 X 3,097,584 7/1963 Wright 95--14 X 3,100,432 8/1963 Limberger 9589 X 3,216,342 Il/ 1965 Mergens 9594 FOREIGN PATENTS 695,924 10/ 1964 Canada.

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner. G. M. HOFFMAN, Assistant Examiner. 

